EXPLORE KUMAON IN UTTARAKHAND

Kumaon, in beautiful Uttarakhand, is just a day's drive from Delhi. On this eight-day driving holiday, you will enjoy the peaceful forests of Ranikhet and Jageshwar, the scenic panorama of Panchachuli from Munsiyari, temples at Baijnath, Bageshwar and Jageshwar, and relax by the lake at Bhimtal. We've designed a super trip for you to get away from the heat of the plains and enjoy fresh mountain air, great views, and with fantastic accommodation all ready and waiting!

​When you travel with MHE, you can be assured that we are backed by many years in the business of providing safe and sustainable adventure trips. The staff you deal with in the office, all the way through to the guides and drivers have years of experience in safe and enjoyable travelling behind them. We can advise you on the right gear, the right training, and no question is too crazy for us to answer.

Our trips are designed for your maximum enjoyment and comfort, taking into consideration the environment and conditions, wherever you are. You will find that lodges and facilities higher up are not as luxurious as those in big towns and cities.

We use the best available accommodation. Please remember though that you are in a remote and difficult location, and your expectations should be reduced accordingly.

We believe in sustainable, ethical and responsible tourism. Our guides are all certified and trained, and our drivers all have many years of experience on the mountain roads. Our crew are all insured, and provided with suitable clothing and equipment.

​We support the local economy wherever possible, and do NOT encourage giving any gifts of sweets, pens etc to the charming local children you meet along the way. If you are really interested to donate something, please discuss with us first.

Our "all inclusive" trip means that you are not constantly rummaging for money, and you know up front what is included.

​We are adventure lovers here at MHE and want to make adventure travel accessible to any one who yearns it. That is why we've introduced the Pay Monthly scheme. That's right, you can now pay in manageable monthly instalments! Simply call us for more details.

Day 1: DRIVE DELHI TO RANIKHET, 9 HRS, 385 KM

Leave Delhi early morning and drive via NH87 to Ranikhet, where you will stay the night at the Wayfarer Solitaire Resort, 11 KM out of town. Enjoy the views from the balcony, relax and watch the sunset.

Meals: Dinner

​Day 2: DRIVE RANIKHET TO CHESTNUT GROVE, VIJAYPUR. 6 hrs, 135 KM

After a relaxing breakfast on your balcony, leave Ranikhet and drive via the Baijnath temples, constructed in the 12th century and dedicated to Shiva, Parvati, and Ganesh to name but a few. The pond alongside the temple has many golden mahseer which you can feed, but fishing is strictly prohibited. Drive 26 kms to Bageshwar itself to visit the Bagnath temple, located in the heart of town, and dedicated to Shiva. Explore the bazaar and have lunch from one of the many lunch joints - the fresh jalebis are particularly good! After lunch, take the Pithoragarh - Bageshwar - Munsiyari Road to Vijaypur (30kms) where you can spend the remainder of the day enjoying the surrounding forest and panoramic Himalayan views before enjoying dinner and overnight in the spotless and well appointed cabins of Chestnut Grove.

Overnight at hotel. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

​Day 3: DRIVE VIJAYPUR TO MUNSIYARI, 4 hrs, 155 kms

Enjoy your breakfast views before you drive on the winding mountain roads through forests of pine, eucalypt and rhododendron to reach Munsiyari. On the way stop to enjoy the beautiful large waterfall and perhaps enjoy a picnic. Once in Munsiyari itself, drive to The Last Frontier Wayfarer and soak up the wonderful Himalayan panorama from your verandah. Visit the Tribal Heritage Museum just next door, which has an interesting array of local artefacts and displays of local tribal clothing, jewellery and utensils. If you have time, drive to the Nanda Devi temple on the hilltop just out of town, sit on the grass to soak up the panoramic views. It's a perfect place for a picnic.

Overnight at hotel. Meals: Breakfast, dinner.

​Day 4: TREK TO KHALIYA BUGYAL, 3 - 4 HRS, 6 KMS

After breakfast, leave Munsiyari town for Balati farm, 4 kms on road (can also be trekked). Passing through the gate, you reach Balati farm 2,500 metres before trekking on well defined trails through forests to Khaliya Bugyal at 3,150 metres. Along the way you get huge views of Panchuli and Rajrambha peaks. Enjoy the sunset views as the mountain tops change colour from white, to pink, to gold before you relax and enjoy dinner before retiring under the stars.

Overnight at camp. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

​Day 5: TREK KHALIYA BUGYAL TO KHALIYA TOP AND RETURN TO MUNSIYARI

Wake early and enjoy the spectacular sunrise on the mountain tops before you make the short trek to Khaliya Top - visible from here are many peaks including Nanda Devi, Trisuli, Nanda Kot, Maiktokli as well as Panchuli and Rajrambha. After you have savoured the view, return to Balati via Khaliya Bugyal and take a car or walk back to Munsiyari town.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

​Day 6: DRIVE MUNSIYARI TO JAGESHWAR 4HRS, 195KM

After breakfast, drive from Munsiyari to Jageshwar, around 184 KM stretch that should take about 6 hours. Visit Jageshwar Temples, a group of over 100 Hindu temples dated between 7th and 12th century. It is the 8th Jyotirling among the Twelve and has great religious value. Jageshwar Shiv temple is one of the oldest shiva temple in India. You can go around Jageshwar and witness the exquisite architecture of temples.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 7: DRIVE JAGESHWAR TO BHIMTAL 2.5 HRS, 100 KMS

Post breakfast, take a final walk through the forest before your short drive to Bhimtal, via Almora town, before taking the turn off in Bhimtal signposted Monolith Resorts, to Fisherman's Lodge. After lunch, spend the rest of the day fishing in the lake, bicycling around town or just relax on the deck.

Overnight at hotel. Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

​Day 8: DRIVE BIMTHAL TO DELHI 7 HRS, 390 KM

Enjoy breakfast on the deck overlooking the lake before you pack up and drive back to Delhi via NH87.

Overnight at hotel. Meals: Breakfast.​

Our "all inclusive" trip means that you are not constantly rummaging for money, and you know up front what is included.

COSTS INCLUDE:

7 nights accommodation in hotels, lodges on twin sharing basis.

7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, and 7 Dinners.

All government taxes included.​

COSTS DO NOT INCLUDE:

International/Domestic air fare or train fare.

Fuel and insurance for your car.

Unforeseen expenses that demand a change in itinerary like natural forces, changes in weather, road blockages, flight/train cancellations and illness.

CRITICAL – take any personal medications you require during the day – you will not see your kit bag until evening.

The rest you can put into your kit bag which will be carried by the porters, whom you won’t see until camp in the evening. It’s a great idea to use dry bags (ie airtight/waterproof) in your kit bag to store your dry clothes in to keep them DRY in case it rains and one to put your dirty laundry in (to keep from making everything else in your bag smell bad!).

​Altitude and preventing Altitude Sickness

Being in a hurry in the mountains can be deadly. Acclimatization is the word used to describe the adjustments your body makes as it ascends to higher altitudes.

Ascending slowly, with appropriate rest days and drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways not to get Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). Data indicates that drinking 3-4 litres of fluids (water, soup etc) per day to avoid dehydration helps in the acclimatization process.

You should not plan to go to high altitude if you have heart disease, difficulty breathing at sea level or are pregnant. You should consult your doctor about any known medical conditions if you are considering trekking in high altitude (over 2500m).

Avoid sleeping pills, alcohol and smoking while at altitude as they tend to decrease breathing and lead to AMS.

The first aid kit carried by your guide includes Diamox and other altitude medications and he/she is trained in the identification of AMS symptoms and their treatment. You MUST take their advice. If anything happens to your guide the first aid kit has a Wilderness Medicine handbook with comprehensive information about altitude sickness and other ailments.

When relevant, your pre-trek briefing will include information about what to expect and what to do to avoid AMS before embarking on your trek.

For more information on AMS, please do read up here:

Tipping and cash requirements:

While all main meals are provided on trek, do not forget to bring some money for drinks or snacks that you might purchase on the way. You will be surprised by what is available on the popular trekking routes.

The amount to carry on the trekking routes depends on the area you are going to trek in, so please ask your guide for advice. Tipping is now common but there is no strict rule about how much the tip should be. Needless to say, you should only tip if you are satisfied with the service.

Photographing and interacting with local people:

During your trek you will have many opportunities to photograph local people and the amazing scenery and you will use tons of film/memory space! When you want to take a photo of a person, please ask them first and respect their right to refuse – you will be surprised how easy it is to convey the request to take someone’s photo even when you don’t share a common language!

If you have a digital camera it is considerate (and fun!) to show them their photo and if it’s possible to arrange to have copies printed and sent to them this is an amazing gift! However do not promise to do so if you are not sure you can deliver on the promise, so please talk to your guide about this! Photos can be a brilliant way to establish a connection with local people, but please respect their right to privacy.

Refrain from giving money or food to children. There are many good organisations working to help these children and we recommend you support them instead of encouraging them to beg. One other way is to collect books, pencils and other such articles and donate them to village schools you will find on your way.

Considering the Environment:

There are many ways you can help to conserve the environment of the area in which you trek. Here are some simple tips.

While trekking you have to be careful not to destroy the very environment you are enjoying so much. It is not only for your enjoyment - people and wildlife rely on this environment for their drinking water and food supply and many places are of enormous religious significance to local people.

Pick up any litter along the trail.

Burn all your toilet paper and bury your faeces when not in camp, make sure you go at least 50m away from any water source.

Try and avoid making a campfire - if you must, be sure to use only fallen wood. Do not consume food cooked on wood fires.

Drink boiled/treated water instead of mineral water as the plastic bottles are a problem.

Stick to the trails to prevent erosion and damage to fragile alpine flora.

Ensure all rubbish is packed out (or burnt/buried if appropriate).

Insurance:

All tour participants should obtain their own personal insurance which covers medical and emergency evacuation at a minimum. You will of course also want cover for loss or damage to personal effects, flight or trip cancellation etc.